OPEN Synonyms: 529 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'open' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed , liable , prone , sensitive , subject , and susceptible . While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence. // a claim open to question

Q: When could 'exposed' be used to replace 'open'?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening. // exposed to infection

Q: When can 'liable' be used instead of 'open'?

While in some cases nearly identical to open , liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation. // liable to get lost

Q: When would 'prone' be a good substitute for 'open'?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something. // prone to delay

Q: When might 'sensitive' be a better fit than 'open'?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli. // unduly sensitive to criticism

Q: When is 'subject' a more appropriate choice than 'open'?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone. // all reports are subject to review

Q: When is it sensible to use 'susceptible' instead of 'open'?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable. // very susceptible to flattery

open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of open next

as in to unlock

to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to clear

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

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as in to expand

to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch

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as in to free

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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as in to begin

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony

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open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən

as in cleared

allowing passage without obstruction thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

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as in public

freely available for use or participation by all the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening

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as in vulnerable

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded

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as in honest

free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know

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as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

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as in shared

not known by only a select few the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

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as in pending

not yet settled or decided that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide

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as in impartial

willing to consider new or different ideas she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions

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as in generous

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome

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open

3 of 3

noun

as in wilderness

that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of open

Verb

The schedule is not light: Notre Dame opens at Miami, hosts Texas A&M the following week and visits Arkansas before the end of September. 4. —

Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 After some remarks from House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the issue was opened for a floor vote, which failed, largely along party lines. —

Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2025

Adjective

There has been little by way of thrilling, open football. —

Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 Leadership has reserved seats near the front, while rank-and-file members can sit in open seats towards the back. —

Chantelle Lee, TIME, 20 Jan. 2025

Noun

As years’ worth of disclosures and recriminations erupted into the open, the serene Jean-Baptiste held us close and rapt. —

Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025 As the full-length opens in first place, the vocal troupe makes history and ties several other hugely successful groups in America. —

Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open

Recent Examples of Synonyms for open

Verb

This aggressive approach by the Suns unlocks their next six drafts and breaks up their lone tradable first in 2031 into three firsts.

— Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump declared a national emergency over the U.S.-Mexico border, which unlocks federal funds to build the border wall and turn back more migrants.

— German Lopez, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Definition of unlock

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“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of open

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adjective

noun

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